Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

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Chad Trautvetter

Teterboro (N.J.) Airport-headquartered Meridian added a second Falcon 2000, the third aircraft&nbsp;in the region, to its growing West Coast charter fleet, as the service provider prepares to open its new FBO in Hayward, Calif., in late September. Overall, the company has 22 aircraft in its charter fleet.
The new West Coast facility will include a 6,300-sq-ft FBO terminal and offices, a 30,000-sq-ft hangar and a 3.5-acre ramp. The structures for both hangar and terminal are now standing, and the builders are working on the interiors, a company spokesman told AIN. It broke ground on the complex in July last year.
As at its Teterboro facility, Meridian will provide charter/management services, a Part 145 repair station and aircraft detailing at Hayward. Meridian has a 50-year lease on the property, and the construction is the first part of a multi-phase development plan, with an initial commitment of $10 million. A second 12,000-sq-ft terminal, two 40,000-sq-ft hangars and an additional seven acres of ramp space will be added in five to 10 years, according to Meridian CEO Ken Forester.
“Hayward Executive Airport was an easy decision for us when evaluating locations in the Bay area,” Forester said. “It is ideally situated between San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland, and offers our customers most of the same amenities as the other regional airports, but without all of the congestion and traffic. In addition, the airport is open 24 hours, which is a big advantage for business jet travelers. We are looking forward to opening our doors very soon.”

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